Thermography uses our specialized thermal imaging camera to capture your body's natural heat patterns. This gentle, radiation-free assessment provides valuable insights into your unique physiology and has been used in healthcare since the 1950s.

Our thermal imaging camera reads the heat your body naturally emits, creating detailed images that show blood flow patterns in your tissues. This gives you information about your body's current state that can be meaningful for your wellness journey. While structural tests look for changes that have already formed, thermography observes what's happening in your body right now - creating a baseline of your individual thermal patterns that you can monitor over time.

The experience is completely comfortable with no contact, no compression, and no radiation. You simply stand while our thermal imaging camera records your heat patterns, which are then analyzed by our certified thermologists who take time to explain everything clearly.

Thermography uses a specialized thermal imaging camera to capture your body's natural heat patterns. This gentle assessment has been used in healthcare since the 1950s and involves no radiation, compression, or contact with your body.

The camera reads the heat your body naturally emits, creating detailed images that show blood flow and circulation patterns in your tissues. While structural tests like mammograms look for changes that have already formed, thermography observes what's happening in your body right now - establishing a baseline of your unique thermal patterns that you can monitor over time.

The process is simple: you sit while our camera records your thermal patterns. These images are then analyzed by our board certified thermologists. Results are then discussed once the report is completed by our certified thermographer.

Your assessment takes place in a comfortable, temperature-controlled environment to ensure the most accurate results. Our specialized infrared camera measures your skin temperature and transmits this information to a computer, which converts these measurements into detailed thermal images.

The entire process is straightforward and relaxing - you simply stand while the camera captures your thermal patterns. In a healthy body, temperature distribution is relatively symmetrical, so our certified thermologists look for any variations or changes in heat patterns across different areas.

Once your images are captured, they're sent to our board-certified clinical thermologists for thorough analysis and interpretation. Your detailed written report is ready in approximately 15-20 business days and includes an explanation of your results and any follow-up recommendations. We then schedule a personalized 15-20 minute consultation to walk you through your report, answer your questions, and discuss next steps if needed.

Absolutely. Thermography is completely safe and has been used in healthcare since the 1950s across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Because it's non-invasive, nothing enters or touches your body during the assessment. The camera simply captures the heat your body naturally emits - there's no radiation, no compression, and no physical contact of any kind. You remain fully in control and comfortable throughout the entire process.

Thermography has no adverse effects and no contra-indications, making it suitable for everyone regardless of age, pregnancy status, or whether you have breast implants. It's one of the gentlest assessment options available for monitoring your health.

No. Thermography is an assessment tool, not a diagnostic test - the same is true for mammography.

Thermography identifies changes in your body's thermal patterns and blood flow that may indicate areas worth monitoring or investigating further. Mammography uses x-rays to identify structural changes in breast tissue. Both provide valuable information, but neither can definitively diagnose cancer on their own. Definitive diagnosis requires additional procedures such as a biopsy.

Many of our clients come to us after receiving unclear mammography results or being told to "watch an area." Thermography can provide additional information about that same area by showing the thermal activity and circulation patterns. This gives you a more complete picture to help you and your healthcare providers make informed decisions about next steps.

Think of thermography as another layer of information in your health toolkit - it works best when used alongside other assessment methods as part of your overall breast health monitoring.

No. Thermography is designed to work alongside mammography and other assessments, not replace them. We recommend using thermography together with structural examinations like mammograms and ultrasounds for the most comprehensive approach to monitoring your breast health.

In Canada, current guidelines recommend that women aged 40-74 at average risk have a mammogram every two years. Women with higher risk factors or those outside this age range should discuss appropriate screening schedules with their healthcare providers. Thermography can complement these recommendations by providing additional thermal and circulation information that structural tests don't capture.

Think of it as adding another perspective to your breast health monitoring - each assessment tool offers different insights, and together they provide a more complete picture. Always continue with your recommended screening schedule and discuss any new assessment methods with your healthcare team to ensure you're getting the most comprehensive care possible.

Thermography is not covered by OHIP in Canada. However, an increasing number of private insurance companies are beginning to include thermography as part of their extended health benefits.

We recommend checking with your private insurance provider to confirm your coverage. If needed, we're happy to provide detailed estimates, receipts, and reports for you to submit for a claim.

Read our Services page for more information regarding coverage.

Thermography has been used as an assessment tool in healthcare since the 1950s, with extensive research published in medical journals over the past 70+ years. The technology continues to evolve, and ongoing studies explore its applications in monitoring circulation, inflammation, and physiological changes throughout the body.

For more information about the science behind thermography, visit our Articles page where we share relevant research and resources.

No, a referral is not necessary. You can book your thermography assessment directly with us at any time. Many of our clients choose to discuss thermography with their healthcare providers as part of their overall wellness planning, but it's not required to schedule an appointment.

Follow-up assessments depend on your initial assessments results. If its a baseline with no unusual patterns or concerns, recommendation to reassess is usually 12 months.

If there were concerns at the time of imaging, and the report confirms areas that need to be monitored, our board certified thermologist may recommend reassessment earlier than a year, depending on the risk level and scoring.

Reassessment is always the client’s decision, using their own experience and the information provided to them by the thermologist’s clinical notes.

Yes, absolutely. Breast implants don't interfere with thermography at all. Since there's no compression or physical contact involved, thermography is a comfortable option for women with implants.

In fact, thermography is safe and effective for everyone - whether you have implants, dense breast tissue, are pregnant, nursing, or fall outside traditional screening age ranges. It's one of the most accessible assessment options available.

The Cold Challenge is an essential part of a complete breast thermography assessment and sets apart clinics that follow international gold standards from those that don't.

During your assessment, you'll plunge your hands into 10°C water for 60 seconds. We then capture a second set of images, giving us both baseline and functional thermal patterns. Here's why this matters: in healthy tissue, blood vessels naturally constrict in response to cold - it's a normal physiological response. However, areas with unusual activity often don't respond at the same rate as surrounding healthy tissue.

This functional testing provides us with significantly more information than static imaging alone. It's the difference between taking a snapshot and watching how your body actually responds to change. By following these international protocols, we ensure you receive the most comprehensive assessment possible.

Important note: If you have Raynaud's syndrome or any condition that makes cold water exposure uncomfortable or unsafe, please let your Certified Thermography Technician know. We have alternative protocols that provide the same quality of assessment without affecting your condition.

Thermography is a functional assessment that observes how your body works - specifically, blood flow and thermal patterns. Structural tests like mammograms and ultrasounds look at anatomy - the physical tissue itself. Both perspectives provide valuable but different information.

Because thermography measures physiological activity rather than structure, it can sometimes detect thermal changes before structural changes become visible. However, it cannot pinpoint exact locations for biopsy or provide the anatomical detail that structural tests offer. This is why thermography works best as part of a comprehensive approach to breast health monitoring rather than as a standalone tool.

Modern thermal imaging technology has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Today's sophisticated infrared cameras and computerized analysis provide detailed functional information that complements structural testing. When used together, these different assessment methods give you the most complete picture of your breast health.

The goal isn't to replace one test with another - it's about having access to multiple sources of information so you can make the most informed decisions about your health.

Thermography offers a safe, non-invasive way to monitor breast health by detecting subtle changes in temperature and vascular patterns. It’s especially useful as a complementary screening tool for women with dense breast tissue or those who prefer a radiation-free option to support their overall wellness routine.

Why some women choose thermography:

Suitable for women of all ages: Thermography can be a valuable tool for women with naturally dense breast tissue, including younger women who may not yet be eligible for traditional imaging methods.
Supports hormone health monitoring: Thermal imaging can be used to observe physiological changes over time, making it helpful for women undergoing hormone therapy or those with naturally changing hormone levels.
Helpful for fibrocystic breast tissue: Dense or fibrocystic breast tissue can make certain imaging methods more difficult to interpret. Thermography offers an additional perspective by highlighting heat and vascular activity that may help guide further assessment if needed.
Provides early insight into changes: Because thermography looks at physiological changes, it can sometimes highlight areas that may benefit from closer observation before structural changes occur.

Thermography is best used as part of a comprehensive breast health plan—alongside regular clinical exams and other imaging when recommended by your healthcare provider. Its greatest benefit lies in supporting proactive, informed care and helping women feel more connected and empowered in their wellness journey.

Frequently Asked Questions